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The first Media Club that took place at the Institute of World Policy on October, 28 was dedicated to the relations between Russia and Ukraine.The Guests of the event were representatives of the Embassy of Russian Federation to Ukraine: Counsellor-minister Vsevolod Loskutov and Counsellor for economic affairs Alexey Urin. Ukrainian prominent journalists had an opportunity to have a conversation with Russian diplomats.{1}
The Guests of the Media Club pointed out that since the new Ukrainian President was elected Ukrainian-Russian relations have acquired a «new quality». Mr. Loskutov used as an argument the fact that the meetings of representatives of two states are being «less and less formal» nowadays. In this context he also informed the Presidents of Ukrain and Russia are to meet in Moscow on November, 26 during the session of the Ukrainian-Russian Interstate Commission. {3}

Answering the question what is the reason for two presidents to meet so frequently, Mr. Loskutov explained that there are too many problems piled up in recent years. «Contacts between presidents, Prime ministers mean a normal situation for countries that are considered to be strategic partners. We have the same close dialogue with Germany, France, USA, Italy. And it is a normal situation. Abnormal situation is one when two presidents meet each other from time to time or don’t meet at all», Russian diplomat summed up.

Being asked to explain Russian position on possible cooperation between Ukraine and Venezuela in oil trade, Mr. Urin emphasized that this is the sovereign right of Kyiv, but national interests of Russian federation should be considered as well. «If there are certain agreements about oil transit between Belarus, Ukraine and Venezuela – let them be. One, however, should remember to refer to interests of the third party, Russia in our case», Russian diplomat claimed. «There are some important commercial and technological issues we have to deal with. Nobody puts political obstacles on that way, but one should consider the reality», Mr. Urin pointed out.

He also mentioned that Russia has no intention to abandon the implementation of the «South Stream pipeline» project. «This is the issue of obligations and wills. We have lots of contracts on «South Stream construction». We can’t just reject it because of any third party and change everything in one day», diplomat underlined. One should recall that Kyiv insisted on Russia abandoning gas transportation project, which involved a construction of seagoing pipeline in the Black Sea, passing-by Ukraine.

Institute of World Policy plans to host Media Club sessions twice a month. The main goal of these events is to contribute to the better understanding of international relations by Ukrainian citizens and to make the decision-making process in foreign policy more transparent, what will facilitate European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. Project is supported by the Slovak Agency for International Cooperation (SlovakAid).
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